EC Women's Tennis Team Advances to the NCCAA Semifinals!

May 10, 2017

Mobile, AL – The Emmanuel College Women's Tennis Team competed today against another NCAA D-II institution, the Colorado Christian University Cougars.

With the goal of making to the next round, Emmanuel wanted to start strong early in the match at Doubles Play. The early games were very competitive with both teams holding their serves to stay in the match, but finally the EC Lions made the jump on courts #1 and #2. The Botella/O'Connor duo paved their way with fast forehands from the baseline and solid approaches to the net to earn an 8-2 win on court #1. Right after, on court #2, Kiderlen/Raich had to fight their way through the match to overcome their opponents by a close 8-6. Lastly, Cipriano/Silva played longer points and games but finally they gave the Lady Lions a 3rd point of the day.

The 3-0 lead at the start of singles play could not have been better for the EC Team. With only two more wins needed to clinch the event, Emmanuel was looking to wrap things up early. The fourth overall point came from the sophomore #17 Fantine Botella, who had to climb her way back on the second set from a 3-0 deficit, on court #1 by 6-1 6-4. EC was on the lead with a set ahead on courts #2, #3, #4, and #5, but the clinching point came by the hands of the sophomore, Katharina Kiderlen, who defeated her opponent with a very consistent and smart game by 6-4 6-1.

The win today takes Emmanuel to the Semifinals of the National Tournament. The EC Women's Tennis will now face one more NCAA D-II opponent, and a very tough challenge, the #32 Oklahoma Baptist University.